(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Senator Mike Lee introduced a bill to address the deep problems in the federal government’s welfare programs that make it more difficult for low-income Americans to work their way into the middle class and stay there. The “Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act” would get existing federal welfare programs under control and would help the working poor transition from poverty to opportunity and security.

“Poverty is not just the absence of money, but also the absence of opportunity,” said Sen. Lee. “Today’s poverty programs place artificial restraints on those who are trying to get ahead, build careers and provide better lives for themselves and their families. Successful welfare programs are those that make poverty more temporary, not more tolerable, and we need to move current policy in that direction. The Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act will give all low-income Americans the opportunity to earn a good living and build a good life.”

The Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act corrects and strengthens current welfare programs by restoring work incentives for individuals and families, improving state administration of welfare programs, rewarding states that transition beneficiaries from welfare to work, and imposing greater transparency in means-tested welfare spending.

The bill has been cosponsored by Senators Cruz, Vitter, and Inhofe. Representative Jim Jordan is planning to introduce a companion version in the House.

The bill has been endorsed by the National Taxpayers Union, Heritage Action for America, the Association of Mature American Citizens, and the Concerned Women for America.

How it works:

Strengthens work requirements for all able bodied, work-capable adults receiving SNAP benefits.

36 hours for individuals without dependents;

72 hours for individuals or couples with dependents;

Incentivizes states to comply with work requirements through a phased–in performance measurement system.

Rewards states with a grant equal to ¼ of the savings

Penalizes states bby diminishing funding over time for not meeting requirements

Requires the federal government to report all means-tested welfare spending, including state and local governments, and report estimated levels over the next decade

Phases in a cap on total means-tested welfare spending that is adjusted yearly with inflation

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Senator Mike Lee introduced a bill to address the deep problems in the federal government’s welfare programs that make it more difficult for low-income Americans to work their way into the middle class and stay there. The “Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act” would get existing federal welfare programs under control and would help the working poor transition from poverty to opportunity and security.

“Poverty is not just the absence of money, but also the absence of opportunity,” said Sen. Lee. “Today’s poverty programs place artificial restraints on those who are trying to get ahead, build careers and provide better lives for themselves and their families. Successful welfare programs are those that make poverty more temporary, not more tolerable, and we need to move current policy in that direction. The Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act will give all low-income Americans the opportunity to earn a good living and build a good life.”

The Welfare Reform and Upward Mobility Act corrects and strengthens current welfare programs by restoring work incentives for individuals and families, improving state administration of welfare programs, rewarding states that transition beneficiaries from welfare to work, and imposing greater transparency in means-tested welfare spending.

The bill has been cosponsored by Senators Cruz, Vitter, and Inhofe. Representative Jim Jordan is planning to introduce a companion version in the House.

The bill has been endorsed by the National Taxpayers Union, Heritage Action for America, the Association of Mature American Citizens, and the Concerned Women for America.

How it works:

Strengthens work requirements for all able bodied, work-capable adults receiving SNAP benefits.

36 hours for individuals without dependents;

72 hours for individuals or couples with dependents;

Incentivizes states to comply with work requirements through a phased–in performance measurement system.

Rewards states with a grant equal to ¼ of the savings

Penalizes states bby diminishing funding over time for not meeting requirements

Requires the federal government to report all means-tested welfare spending, including state and local governments, and report estimated levels over the next decade

Phases in a cap on total means-tested welfare spending that is adjusted yearly with inflation